New York Record
Tompkins County
TB

Travis Brooks

Legislator, District 12026-01-01–2028-12-31 (three-year term: the county Tompkins County Legislators page states legislators are elected and serve for three years with current terms 2026 through 2028; elected November 4, 2025 per Tompkins County Board of Elections 2025 Statement of Votes Cast , unofficial, certified results not located; begins January 1 per N.Y. Public Officers Law § 4, 1 and ends December 31, 2028; sworn at the January 6, 2026 organizational meeting; start shown is the current-term start)

No biography on file yet.

At a glance

News mentions
0

Term ending Dec 31, 2028.

Voice

Meetings spoken in
38
Total speaking time
5:14:08
Avg per meeting
8:16
Segments
5271

Want every word Brooks has said?

The OpenCity MCP for Claude.ai answers questions like “what has Brooks said about housing this year” with one prompt — full speaking history, with YouTube timestamps.

Filtered to Development

Top issues during term (20)(Development)

high→Jan 2026[32]

Housing Affordability and Target Market Analysis

$50,000 state grant funds the planning work; no county cost.

high↑May 2026[12]

Asteri Ithaca and county homelessness response

The mayor's cited eminent domain figure of $186 million makes acquisition likely out of reach for now.

high↓Jan 2026[8]

Federal HUD homelessness funding in limbo

Potential federal funding cuts could reduce money available for local shelter and homelessness services.

high↓Mar 2026[6]

Housing shortage for single adults

No fiscal action taken; possible future county funding for ADU construction was floated.

medium↓Sep 2026[5]

Downtown Parking Availability

Unknown — depends on city parking policy decisions.

medium↓Mar 2026[5]

City of Ithaca Zoning Reform Survey

While exact numbers aren't set yet, loosening up zoning rules could eventually lead to more housing supply, helping to keep skyrocketing rents and home prices in check.

low↓Sep 2026[5]

NYU Furman Center homeless response peer network

high↓May 2026[4]

Community Housing Development Fund Round 26 Awards

$80,000 in IDA contributions disbursed; over $2 million remains available in the CHDF.

critical↓Jan 2026[3]

Federal Cuts Threaten Permanent Supportive Housing

A 70% cut to federal homeless funding would hit local programs in October 2028 if the courts don't permanently block it.

high↓Apr 2026[3]

Asteri Ithaca / Vecino Group enforcement

The county has already levied a $40,000 fine, and public service costs to the building are significant though not quantified in open session.

critical↓Jul 2026[2]

Housing Choice Voucher Program Pressures

Shelter stays run roughly $139-$149 per night; losing vouchers shifts costs to the homeless response system.

high↓Jun 2026[2]

Housing affordability and equity indicators

Housing cost burdens hit renters hardest, and county grant programs like the Community Housing Development Fund are the main local lever — its partner MOU expires at the end of 2027.

high↓Jun 2026[2]

Harris B. Dates Drive Parcel — Affordable Housing Potential

The parcel has been off the tax rolls for years; developing or selling it could add housing and tax revenue, though no dollar figure was set.

high↓Aug 2026[2]

SouthWorks/Gateway Affordable Housing Infrastructure Award

$1 million in state infrastructure funding, requiring a $2 million developer match as a reimbursement grant.

high↓Mar 2026[2]

80-Bed Adult Homeless Shelter at 227 Cherry Street

Total project cost is about $18 million, with $15 million sought from the state and roughly $3 million from the county capital budget.

high↓Feb 2026[1]

2024 Housing Snapshot — Affordability Crisis Data

Buying a median-priced home requires over $26,000 in cash, and median rent of about $1,600 requires roughly $63,000 in annual income.

medium↓Jan 2026[1]

Proposed shift of homelessness programs to Health and Human Services Committee

high↓Feb 2026[1]

Hanshaw Village Water and Sewer Infrastructure

$1 million state grant request toward an estimated $3.5 million project.

high↓Jan 2026[1]

Affordable housing funding carried into 2026

$550,000 in previously awarded funds stays available for affordable housing projects; no new county money.

high↓Mar 2026[1]

REACH Medical Respite and Supportive Housing Project

REACH is shouldering roughly $150,000–$160,000 in rent on the empty building while awaiting state HHAP funding; operations are expected to be sustainable through Medicaid reimbursements.

Decisions during term (10)

Recorded while Brooks was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.